Table of contents for 2 - 2017 in Best

From her hilarious views on topics such as facelifts (‘I might need one – I look like an old tramp!’) to her take on more serious issues like Brexit (‘I’m OUT – it’s best for Britain. We are a tiny island – and a great one – so no wonder everyone wants to come here, but that’s not best for us’), Carol McGiffin has been giving me the benefit of her opinions for years now. And, agree with her or not, no one can deny the former Loose Woman is feisty, funny and fearless. That’s why, starting this week, Carol will be sharing her views, not just with me, but with all best readers, in a new column, The Way I See It (p43). Don’t miss it! • Please let…

‘I cannot live without you. Will you marry me?’ Christine asks the bishop Christine Bleakley has ditched her footie star hubby Frank Lampard – but don’t panic, it was only for her debut acting role! The TV host, 37, delivered a hilarious cameo in a one-off episode of Northern Irish comedy show Give My Head Peace. The stunning brunette showed a VERY different side to her personality in the sketch, which aired on BBC Northern Ireland last week. Playing herself, Christine was scheming to leave Frank so that she could run away with Cal, a bishop she’d always fancied. Apparently, she screamed Cal’s name during marital sex (awkward!). In one scene, Christine announced, ‘Cal, I’ve left Frank. I cannot live without you. Will you marry me?’ She first started her…

Anti-ageing guru Lesley Reynolds reveals the latest treatments to help you stay youthful We slather lotions onto our faces, but our necks are often overlooked until it’s too late. And a crinkly neck always gives the game away, especially when it doesn’t match a smooth, line-free complexion… SOFTEN THE SCRAGGY, STRINGY LOOK… WITH BOTOX Botox and injectables can play a big part in neck rejuvenation. The Nefertiti Lift helps to soften the muscles that cause the appearance of the cord-like bands, in particular the platysmal bands – the two vertical muscles in the front of the neck which stand out when you grimace. After application it will relax and soften them, making the neck appear tighter and smoother. You’ll start to see results after five days which will last…

January blues kicking in? We love this ‘Day Off’ slogan sweatshirt from New Look, £19.99, that’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face. The new nautical It’s chic, always in style and looks good on everyone. Earn your stripes this spring by picking up pieces with a new, modern twist… • As J.Lo proves, nauticals don’t have to be frumpy! Keep it simple with one statement item, such as high-waisted trousers, then team with a relaxed cardigan and T-shirt to nail the spring ’17 style. A yellow bag also lifts this ensemble from dowdy to daring. • If you are petite, widelegged trousers may swamp you, so get a similar look with a high-waisted pencil skirt. Wear with a tucked-in Breton top for a modern-yetsophisticated look. • A classic,…

‘Sitting at my sewingmachine, I hummed happily as I picked up another top. It may have been the fifth one I was taking in that evening, and I had a pile more to go, but I didn’t mind. Now that I’d lost 5st – and six dress sizes – nothing could dampen my newfound happiness. I hadn’t always been big. As a child, I was slender and sprightly. But, when I got my first job as a beauty therapist in my 20s and moved into a shared house, I started gaining weight, slowly but steadily. Looking back, it’s easy to see why. My whole lifestyle had changed. I had the freedom to eat exactly what I wanted, when I wanted. Rather than my mum’s homecooked meals, I’d grab a…

A bowlful of the good stuff Is it a soup or it it a whole meal in itself? It’s both! Baxters Hearty Soup range is a fabulous storecupboard standby. The 10 varieties contain up to three of your fivea-day, ideal for a healthy lunch at home, all for £1.49 each. Milk makeover Who knew that almond milk contains fewer calories than skimmed or soya? It’s also dairyand lactose-free! For an easy, tasty switch, grab a carton of Almond Breeze Unsweetened, £1.49, from the supermarket. MOREISH MAC-N-CHEESE The perfect balance Sofa suppers just got super-good for you. Indulge in M&S’ new Balanced For You Crab & Prawn Macaroni & Cheese, £4.25, secure in the knowledge that it’s been nutritionally balanced to help you eat well. Who says healthy eating has to…

Tony Cowell BEST’S CELEBRITY INSIDER TALKS TO RIGHT SAID FRED Your smash hit I’m Too Sexy was released more than 25 years ago. How do you regard that time? With great affection, as it changed our lives. But the truth is, we’re happier now because we understand the business better and we’re more in touch with our lives. I wouldn’t want to be the person I was then. I’m Too Sexy was No.1 in the US for more than three weeks in 1991 – do you still work there? Absolutely. We’ve written music for TV adverts and a song for The Smurfs movie – the work has never stopped. We have been very lucky – I’m Too Sexy has always been around, and it was No.1 in 32 countries. Do…

Patsy Kensit is a woman who wears her heart on her sleeve. ‘I basically married all my boyfriends,’ the warm, funny and still stunningly beautiful actress has admitted. The exes in question are Big Audio Dynamite keyboardist Dan Donovan, Simple Minds frontman Jim Kerr, Oasis rocker Liam Gallagher and DJ Jeremy Healy. And, despite having insisted that she’ll never marry again – ‘I’ve ruined the sanctity of it’ – Patsy still describes herself as ‘a hopeless romantic’, always believing love could be just around the corner. Now playing Betty Dean, mother-in-law of the legendary footballer Bobby Moore, in ITV biopic Tina And Bobby, the actress admits that the part raked up feelings from her past. It reminded her in particular of the close bond she shared with her own mother,…

It’s a friendship many wouldn’t have expected, but TV hosts Judy Finnigan, 68, and Richard Madeley, 60, have spoken of their heartbreak over losing close pal George Michael, who tragically died on Christmas Day at the age of 53. The couple first met the Careless Whisper singer in the 90s when they presented ITV’s This Morning. George donated £50,000 to the show’s Christmas Appeal for needy children, on the condition of complete anonymity, and Richard wanted to thank the superstar. Judy revealed, ‘When we got home that evening, Richard downed a stiff G&T and called George to thank him. I still remember my mingled excitement and horror when I heard Richard say, “Well, as we’re so close, why don’t you come for Sunday lunch so we can thank you…

JOIN THE CONVERSATION If you haven’t had time to keep up with Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, we’ve done it for you… Mummy’s boy... Well, it’s back, and yet again, we’ve been sucked into a spiral of watching those crazy Celebrity Big Brother contestants as they start backstabbing, bitching and generally misbehaving. We are loving the mum-and-son combo of Angie and Calum Best… though, talk about cramping someone’s style! The legendary lothario is already finding it tough to restrain himself from ogling all the ladies in the House, and he can’t really get up to anything while Mummy is around… It’s also good to see James Jordan return to do what he does best… winding people up! And shout out to best favourite Coleen Nolan – good luck, girl! Are you…

‘If there’s one thing I’ve learnt’ ‘Be grateful for every moment, and never give up on the people you love. We all get the happy ever after we deserve.’ Scrolling through photos on Friends Reunited, a nostalgic smile spread across my face as I was transported back to my teens. ‘What a great idea for a site,’ I marvelled as I examined the faces of people I hadn’t seen for years. Then, I caught sight of a familiar cheeky grin and sparkling eyes in one photo, and my heart skipped a beat. Ian Vivers had been my first love, and even though I was now in my 30s, the same butterflies flooded my stomach – just like they had 20 years before. We’d met in 1984 at a local amusement…

best VALUE best DESIGNER LUXE TOP TIP Cream crayons are brilliant for layering. Start with a few swipes of colour and add more if you want to.…

 FILLING… BBQ pork and beans Spice rubs are the secret to gorgeously tender meat. Serves 4 Ready in about 1 hour 1tbsp sweet smoked paprika 1tbsp mustard powder 1tsp celery salt 2 pork fillets, all visible fat removed (around 900g in total) For the beans Low-calorie cooking spray 6 back bacon rashers, all visible fat removed, chopped 1 large onion, chopped 3 garlic cloves, chopped Salt and freshly ground black pepper 3tbsp tomato purée 1tbsp hot smoked paprika 2tbsp mustard powder 100ml cider vinegar 3 x 400g cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 3tbsp sweetener For the tomato salad 8 red or yellow tomatoes, sliced 1 cucumber, sliced 1 red onion, thinly sliced 1tbsp balsamic vinegar For the beans, spray a large pan with lowcalorie cooking spray and place over…

CAROL McGIFFIN THE WAY I SEE IT... Wise words from our feisty, fearless and funny columnist ‘I don’t know why everyone has such a downer on January. That cold, dark, dismal, debt-ridden month that follows jolly old December, with its endless parties, non-stop eating, drinking and goodwill to all men. Some ‘scientist’ has even branded the third Monday in January ‘Blue Monday’ (this 16 Jan), as officially the most depressing day of the year. Blimey, razor blades at the ready, folks – here it comes, so what’s the point?! It’s all nonsense, of course, but also potentially damaging, in a self-fulfilling prophecy kind of way, don’t you think? Because if someone tells you that, on a certain day, you’re SUPPOSED to feel ‘depressed’ – or, in reality, down, because depression…

Small (one to two people) Wilko Everyday Value Slow Cooker, 1.5L, £10 This budget buy is very basic but, if you’re not sure whether to invest in a better model, it’s an ideal starter for just a tenner. Lakeland Slow Cooker, 1.5L, £22.99 This pocket-rocket is great for two people (or one hungry appetite). Three heat settings means it’s easy to use, and it’s dishwashersafe – thus easy to clean! Russell Hobbs Food Collection Slow Cooker, 2L, £18.99 Compact and simple to work. This is perfect if you’re tight on space in the kitchen, but it’s slightly bigger than the smallest models. The cool touch handles are great! Best ON Test Medium (three to four people) Judge Slow Cooker, 3.5L, £35 Although a little larger, the simple and sleek design…

‘I’m off the alcohol,’ the TV presenter admits, saying that she’s on a health kick. The real Susanna Susanna went make-up free on social media recently with the words, ‘Me on Instagram = extra eyelashes, make-up & filters. Me in real life = blemishes, lines & flaws.’ Presenter Susanna Reid, 46, has revealed she wouldn’t be averse to becoming a mum again at the mature age of 50! She made the shock announcement during a lively debate on Good Morning Britain last week, as the hosts talked about singer Janet Jackson giving birth aged 50 to her first child, a boy called Eissa. Co-stars Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid locked horns over the contentious topic, with Piers asking, ‘Is this a good thing?’ and pointing out that this means Janet…

Did you know? Michelle admitted she had the post-wedding blues after her big day in 2015. ‘That period is so exciting, then you come home from your honeymoon and think, “What now?”’ Stopping to speak to journalists on the red carpet at ITV’s annual gala, Michelle Keegan – soon to grace our screens as Tina Moore in Tina And Bobby - joked, ‘I see more of you lot these days than I do of Mark!’ But perhaps it’s not such a laughing matter. Since the former Corrie actress tied the knot with ex-TOWIE star Mark Wright in May 2015, they’ve barely spent any time together. Enforced separation can test any relationship, let alone one in the public eye, and the good-looking pair, both 29, are set to spend even…

TOP TIP First seen on the catwalks, spring’s dresses get teamed with jeans. Cinch in at the waist to make the look work. TOP TIP The embroidery trend is still going strong for spring. One key piece transforms any outfit. TOP TIP These designer doubles have all the style of A-listers’ fashion favourites Self Portrait and Gucci.…

‘If there’s one thing I’ve learnt’ ‘Even though obsessive compulsive disorder can be relentless, exhausting and overwhelming at times, it can be managed.’ After being together for three years, you’d assume you know your partner inside out. All of their quirks, their funny habits, their daily routines, everything, really – well, I did, anyway. But one drizzly afternoon, my long-term partner, Adam, confided to me that he thought he was going to kill someone. I was shocked, not so much by his confession – he’d never been a violent man, and I knew he wouldn’t hurt a fly – but by the fact that I hadn’t had a clue how tormented he was feeling deep down inside. I’d known Adam my whole life. Our parents had been best friends, and…

The latest health campaign from Public Health England focuses on all 40- to 60-yearolds who have been too busy to look after their own health. Working hard and looking after kids and elderly parents has meant that, for a whole generation, health has droppped to the bottom of the list. So, in 2017, it’s time to take stock and focus on YOU! THINK ABOUT DRINK Women should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week. If you’re drinking a few units a week, spread them over at least three days, with several drink-free days. For years, we’ve focused on liver disease as a damaging consequence of too much alcohol, but we now know it contributes to many health problems, including making depression worse and increasing the risk of…

HOW IT WORKS 1 Follow the menu. You can start on any day you choose and swap days around if there’s a meal you fancy, or even repeat days! You’ll find more healthy food ideas at slimmingworld.co.uk or when you join a Slimming World group.  2 Foods printed in bold are ‘Free Foods’. Try to base meals around things like veg, pasta, lean meat, fish, rice, potatoes, eggs and more. If you feel hungry, snack on these foods, including fresh fruit, too.  3 As well as Free Foods, stock your cupboard with fat-free salad dressings, stock, herbs, oilfree passata, tomato purée, soy sauce and spices, which can be used freely to add delicious flavour to meals.  4 Slimming World encourages you to enjoy foods that are high in calcium…

‘Most of us have battled with our weight at some point in our lives, and the problems often start in childhood. But not mine. Growing up, I was always slim, despite the fact that I hated exercise and enjoyed food. At 18, I weighed 9st 4lb and was a trim size 10 – perfect for my 5ft 8in height. I’d been studious at school and hadn’t spent much time socialising. But, in my mid-20s, I was working full-time as an auditor and had a bigger circle of friends. Every weekend, we’d hit the local pubs in Milton Keynes, and I developed a fondness for cider. I joined darts and pool teams, too, which meant even more nights out, and often a trip to the kebab shop on the way home.…

Growing up, Britney Spears was my idol. I loved everything about her, especially her perfect image, and I’d tell anyone who’d listen how much I wanted to look like her. I couldn’t see anything wrong with that. Lots of my friends admired her, too. Except, in my case, there was one big difference. I was a boy, called Thomas. When I was born in 1990, my parents already had two daughters, so my dad was delighted to have a son, someone to watch football and build Lego with. But that just wasn’t me. Because from the age of three, I’d known I was different to other little boys. I shunned football for Barbies, and my favourite game was mimicking Ariel from The Little Mermaid by sitting on a rock…

BANOFFEE PIES MAKES 6 PREP: 15 mins PER SERVING: 850 KCALS FAT: 59g SAT FAT: 35g CARBS: 38g 75g butter 225g digestives, crushed 2-3 bananas 400g jar thick caramel sauce 300ml double cream Handful dark chocolate, finely chopped YOU WILL NEED 6 x 5in-round loosebottom tartlet tins 1 Melt butter in a pan, then remove from heat. Add digestives and mix. Divide mixture between tins, then press firmly so they cover base evenly. Leave to cool, then put in fridge to firm up. 2 Slice bananas and top each of the bases. Add a spoonful of caramel sauce and smooth to cover. 3 Beat cream lightly until thickened, then spoon on top of each tart. Top with chocolate and chill until ready to serve. Carefully release from tin and serve…

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Win EVERY WEEK WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £100 OR 3 X £50 PRIZES Both sets of clues lead to the same answers, revealing in the shaded squares a TV programme featuring Jennifer Hudson (3, 5) STRAIGHT CLUES ACROSS 1 Desert plant (6) 5 Enjoyment (8) 9 Put into place (8) 10 Discarded leftovers (6) 11 Beer barrel (3) 12 Gathers stamps, e.g. (8) 14 Used to be (4) 15 Closes (5) 17 Grilled bread (5) 18 Item of footwear (4) 19 Client, patron (8) 23 Series of battles (3) 25 Eyesight (6) 26 Top layers of liquids (8) 27 Military outfits (8) 28 Occasions (6) DOWN 2 Nuclear particle (4) 3 Density (9) 4 Nettle wound (5) 5 Mass fear (5) 6 Blackboard support (5) 7 Wait at…

SWAP ROME FOR... York There’s no need to travel all the way to the capital of Italy to see ancient Roman ruins and culture – the city of York was founded in 71AD by the Romans themselves! Visit the Multangular Tower in the gardens of the Yorkshire Museum (yorkshiremuseum.org.uk), which also displays mosaics, sculptures and tombstones from the era. Remains of a Roman Bath lie underneath the pub of the same name in St Sampsons Square, and you can still see stretches of the ancient Roman fortress wall along nearby Parliament Street and Market Street. STAY: Treat yourself to a stay at stylish boutique hotel Indigo York (hotelindigoyork.co.uk). It’s within easy reach of some of the city’s most outstanding shopping and dining spots. Doubles from £70pp per night. SWAP THE…